Sunday, February 17, 2008

Pastoral View #6

4" x 6" original watercolorSOLD

I told you we took a road trip to New Hollandto see a pair of Bald Eagles. This is part of thefarm scene where they nested. I had to be satisfiedwith painting this since the eagles were small dotswithout binoculars. The eagles were to the right,in the middle of the field in a set of trees. You willneed to use your imagination and trust me thatthey were there!

I have been squeezing in work on this large painting.I wanted to show you how far it has come. If yougo back to Jan. 27th you can see the beginning.The pots are painted in, the shadow work on theporch floor and more detail on the door.There is still plentymore hours to go.Click over it for abetter view.

I did not realize myartistic ego was sofragile. But I had myfirst week of no biddingin a very very long time.I know the paintings werewell executed and I hada variety of subjects. Anyunsold paintings get framedand put on my show standso, it is not a waste of mytime but... it somehowmakes me stop andquestion what I am doing. Public opinion should not be theguiding force to what an artist creates, but there are alwayscompromises to the artist earning a living on the largess ofhis clients. So, I had to take the time to line up the weeksaccomplishments and honestly look at them. The dry spellstarted with the Bugatti, an unconventional angle I knowbut very well done! And I must ask who doesn't like aBugatti? Although Linda did suggest the number of Bugattifanatics on my mailing list may be limited! Next was a pastoralview. Pleasant, maybe not a strong painting, would not winan award...but it is pleasant and will frame up nicely.Then the corner of a window, I was attracted to the shadows,so I guess I painted that one for my own study or for someonethat likes the offbeat. Wednesday I went back to what I knowvery well, the shaker boxes. Good strong use of color, Iabsolutely know I can sell that at a show. Then I finished theweek with my kisses. I knew that would be a hard sell, butI spent a whole day on them. And to defend myself, they werereally really hard! I am not ashamed of the week's work,if I am at fault it is my attempt to grow artistically at the expenseof cash. Deemed admirable by some, just not my mortgagecompany! So I am following my wife's advice...just paint.

We did have a nice weekend. Friday was spent with ourfriends. We had dinner and a movie rental, Becoming Jane.Saturday night I took Linda out dancing. There was a liveband playing at the Ritz in New Holland. Not exactlya hotbed for dance music but the band was excellent; theyplayed a good variety of 60-70-80's. Been a while sincewe went out at 9pm and rolled home at 1!

Where to find me!

Blog featuring my students

My goal...

My goal is to join the other accomplished artists in the "Painting A Day" arena. I am expecting this endeavor to sharpen my painting skills and to help me grow as a watercolorist. I already paint full time and exhibit at art shows but I am hoping this experience will allow me to explore subjects I would not normally choose to paint. I hope you enjoy taking this journey with me. Andy Smith

ABOUT THE PAINTINGS:

Each watercolor is painted on Arches 300lb Cold Press paper. I use transparent watercolors occasionally adding ink to the wash. I paint in a series of washes to build color, creating shadows and a strong use of light.
The PAINTING A DAY paintings started January 1, 2007.
Variations in monitor settings plus my camera skills may not exactly duplicate the actual colors in the painting. I do my best!
I plan to work in two sizes.
An image of 5"x5" with a 1/2" border or
an image of 4"x6" with a 1/2" border.
You will need to take your new painting to a frame shop to be framed. For shipping, each miniature original watercolor will be placed in a protective sleeve with a foamcore back.
The new paintings will be posted for sale via Ebay. Paintings that do not sell at auction are then placed on my show stand at a price commensurate to my other work.